Council approves Wellspring cluster plan with conservation commitment after residents urge bigger buffer

The Farmington Hills City Council on Nov. 10 approved the first phase of the Wellspring of Farmington Hills cluster site plan, a proposal by Wellspring Lutheran Services and Eureka Development to construct 52 attached, single‑story units along the north side of 9 Mile Road.

City planning staff described the 79.61‑acre site and the phase‑1 plan as 13 buildings of four units (52 total) sited primarily south of a branch of the Rouge River; the application included pedestrian connections to 9 Mile and a proposed phase‑1 conservation easement. Giffels Webster’s review found most dimensional standards met and recommended addressing tree replacement counts and minor engineering items prior to final permitting.

Applicant representatives said they proposed ranch‑style, owner‑occupied units targeted at a 55+ market and estimated a likely price point in the low–mid $300,000 range. They told council they have voluntarily proposed a 7‑acre conservation easement for phase 1 and showed a conceptual phase‑2 layout that would expand preserved land if built. The developer also said utilities for phase 1 are sized to accommodate a later phase if pursued.

Many neighbors urged the council to preserve more woodlands, questioned whether the proposed 7 acres was sufficient and asked about traffic, sewer capacity and long‑term access to the conserved area. Friends of the Rouge, Oakland County park staff and naturalists described the northern parcel as high‑quality woodland and urged more permanent protection. Supporters and county representatives said the project could provide attainable owner‑occupied housing and that Wellspring is a mission‑driven nonprofit.

In response the applicant confirmed a traffic study (Tetra Tech) had been completed and peer‑reviewed by city staff; it concluded phase 1 does not require improvements to 9 Mile but that phase 2 would trigger mitigation. To answer conservation concerns the applicant and council negotiated conditions requiring the city attorney to draft a cluster agreement and the motion as approved included: addressing all outstanding plan review items to the satisfaction of city planning, engineering and the fire marshal; an escrow deposit equal to 150% of open‑space improvement cost estimates; and a recorded conservation easement of at least 14 acres with pedestrian access following completion of phase 1.

Council approved the motion with the stated conditions. The city manager was directed to work with the applicant to finalize the cluster agreement and documentation.

Next steps: the applicant will resolve engineering comments, post required escrow and execute the cluster agreement before permits are issued; phase‑2 development would require future reviews and additional approvals.